Article storage apparatus

ABSTRACT

The invention provides an article storage apparatus which has a high earthquake resisting strength and can achieve weight saving and cost reduction. The article storage apparatus uses a lattice-shaped panel in which a plurality of rod-like members intersect, and is provided with a bottom panel forming a loading surface for an article to be stored, front and rear lattice-shaped panels provided in a rising manner in both front and rear end portions of the bottom panel, and side lattice-shaped panels provided in a rising manner in both side portions of the bottom panel. Further, side surfaces of the side lattice-shaped panels are provided with an upper reinforcing member attached along an upper end portion of the panel and having a higher flexure strength than that of the rod-like member. Further, there are leg portions provided having engagement portions capable of engaging with at least the upper reinforcing member and provided in a lower surface of the bottom panel. The engagement portions of the leg portions of the article storage apparatuses adjacent vertically to each other are engaged with at least the upper reinforcing member, at the time of piling a plurality of the article storage apparatuses. Since the article storage apparatus is reinforced by the upper reinforcing member, it is possible to manufacture the article storage apparatus having a high earthquake resisting strength.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an article storage apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

As this kind of article storage apparatus, there have been disclosed thefollowing patent documents 1 and 2. This structure has a bottom panel102, a front panel 103 provided so as to rise upward from the bottompanel 102, a rear panel 104, side panels 105, and leg portions 106provided in a lower surface of the bottom panel 102, as shown in FIG.21A. Each of the panels is structured in a lattice shape in which aplurality of rod-like members intersect. For example, the side panel 105is formed in a lattice shape, as shown in FIG. 21B, so that a pluralityof first rod-like members 108 directed in a vertical direction and aplurality of second rod-like members 109 directed in a lateral directionare orthogonal, and each of intersections 110 are welded.

Patent Document 1

Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. 51-22941

Patent Document 2

Japanese Patent No. 3487185

The front and rear panels 103 and 104 have the same structure as that ofside panel 105. The first rod-like member 108 and the second rod-likemember 109 structuring the panels have approximately the same diameter,and are structured so that one is directed in a vertical direction andthe other is directed in a horizontal direction. In the panels mentionedabove, in the case of increasing the strength with respect to force F(FIG. 21B) in the vertical direction, the number of the rod-like membersis increased, however, there is a problem that with the increased numberof rod like members, the weight of each of the panels will increase,increasing the labor hours required for manufacturing on the basis of anincrease of the points needed to be welded, thus driving up themanufacturing cost.

Further, there is a case that a plurality of article storage apparatus101's are piled vertically, as shown in FIG. 22. In such a piled stateas mentioned above, engagement portions 107 provided in leg portions 106are engaged with side panel 105 of the lower article storage apparatus101, and load F in the vertical direction is applied to side panel 105of article storage apparatus 101 in the lower stage. In the case ofincreasing the strength of side panel 105 with respect to load F, thenumber of first rod-like members 108 directed in the vertical directionhas been conventionally increased, however, there has been a problemthat the weight is increased or the like as mentioned above.

On the other hand, there is a case that while being stored in anpile-like state, if an earthquake occurs, article storage apparatus 101can be damaged. In case of a particularly heavy article being stored,there is a possibility that great damage can be generated if articlestorage apparatus 101 is broken at the time of an earthquake hazard.Accordingly, an article storage apparatus having a high earthquakeresistance is desired. When an earthquake occurs, the position where legportion 106 of article storage apparatus 101 in the upper state isengaged, and the portion positioned just above leg portion 106 in bottompanel 102 are broken quite easily. Therefore, an article storageapparatus having a high earthquake resisting strength in which theeasily broken points are reinforced is desired.

In this case, front and rear panels 103 and 104 and side panel 105 ofarticle storage apparatus 101 are coupled to bottom panel 102 so as tobe rotatable and foldable with respect to bottom panel 102. Further, ina state in which each of panels 103 to 105 is folded, a plurality ofarticle storage apparatus 101's can be piled vertically so as to bestored. However, if the article storage apparatuses are piled in thismanner, a space corresponding to the height of leg portion 106 betweenthe upper and lower article storage apparatus 101 is generated. As aresult, there is a problem that the article storage apparatuses can notbe piled at a high density.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

The present invention is made in view of the foregoing background of theabove mentioned circumstances, and in particular, a first object of thepresent invention is to provide an article storage apparatus which has ahigh earthquake resisting strength and can achieve weight saving andcost reduction. Further, a second object of the present invention is toprovide an article storage apparatus which can be piled at a highdensity in a state in which each of the panels are folded.

Means for Solving the Problem and Effect of the Invention

In order to achieve the objects mentioned above, the first aspect of thepresent invention is characterized by providing an article storageapparatus using a lattice-shaped panel in which a plurality of rod-likemembers intersect, comprising:

a bottom panel forming a loading surface of the article to be stored;

front and rear lattice-shaped panels provided in a rising manner in bothfront and rear end portions of the bottom panel;

side lattice-shaped panels provided in a rising manner in both sideportions of the bottom panel;

an upper reinforcing member attached to side surfaces of the sidelattice-shaped panels along an upper end portion of the panel and havinga higher flexure strength than that of the rod-like member; and

leg portions having engagement portions capable of engaging with atleast the upper reinforcing member and provided in a lower surface ofthe bottom panel,

wherein the engagement portions of the leg portions of the articlestorage apparatus adjacent vertically to each other are engaged with atleast the upper reinforcing member, at a time of piling a plurality ofthe article storage apparatuses.

In accordance with the first aspect of the present invention mentionedabove, the upper reinforcing member is attached to the side surface ofthe side lattice-shaped panel along the panel upper end, and theengagement portion provided in the leg portion of the article storageapparatus in the upper stage is engaged with at least the upperreinforcing member. In other words, since the upper end portion of theside lattice-shaped panel is reinforced by the upper reinforcing member,it is possible to withstand an impact generated by an earthquake or thelike.

Thus, it is possible to provide an article storage apparatus which canachieve weight saving as well as providing a high earthquake resistancestrength, by partly reinforcing the article storage apparatus asmentioned above. In other words, if it is intended to entirely increasethe strength of the side portion lattice-shaped panel, the number of therod-like members is increased, creating a problem of increased weight,however, since the points that are easily broken when earthquakes occurare partly reinforced in accordance with the present invention, it ispossible to keep the increase of weight to a minimum.

Further, a second aspect of the present invention, the upper reinforcingmember includes upper and lower bent portions in which both upper andlower end portions of the upper reinforcing member are bent toward theside lattice-shaped panel, and a center bent portion formed between theupper and lower bent portions and bent to protrude toward the sidelattice-shaped panel, and

wherein the rod-like member directed in a vertical direction in therod-like member constituting the side lattice-shaped panel, the upperand lower bent portions and the center bent portion are welded.

Thus, as mentioned above, since the upper reinforcing member is sostructured as to include the upper and lower bent portions and thecenter bent portion, it is possible to form the rod-like member directedin a vertical direction in the rod-like members constituting the sidelattice-shaped member, and each of the bent portions in the orthogonalshape. It is possible to weld the intersection thereof, particularly inaccordance with spot welding. Since spot welding can weld only acomparatively small area, it is possible to increase manufacturingefficiency, and achieve cost reduction. Further, the upper reinforcingmember including the upper and lower bent portions and the center bentportion is so structured as to achieve a high flexure strength.

Further, a third aspect of the present invention, the upper and lowerbent portions of the upper reinforcing member are inclined to an innerside so that both intervals become narrower as they get nearer to theleading end side. Since the upper reinforcing member is attached to theside surface of the side lattice-shaped panel along the upper endportion of the panel, the upper reinforcing member is arranged at apoint where the hand of a user is easily in contact. Further, becausethere are cases where the leading ends of the upper and lower bentportions are formed sharply, there is a chance the user's hand may becut by the leading end. Accordingly, since the leading end is notexposed by inclining the upper and lower bent portions to the innerside, the risk of the user's hand being cut by the leading end isreduced.

Further, a fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized byproving an article storage apparatus using a lattice-shaped panel inwhich a plurality of rod-like members intersect, comprising:

a bottom panel forming a loading surface of the article to be stored;

front and rear lattice-shaped panels coupled to both the front and rearend portions of the bottom panel so as to be foldable with respect tothe bottom panel;

side lattice-shaped panels coupled to both sides of the bottom panel orthe front and rear lattice-shaped panels so as to be foldable;

piling members arranged in the bottom panel at positions which do notoverlap the front and rear lattice-shaped panels and the side portionlattice-shaped panels, at the time of folding the front and rearlattice-shaped panels and the side lattice-shaped panels with respect tothe bottom panel, protruding to an upper side, and upper end portions ofwhich are positioned higher than a panel's topmost surface of each ofthe folded panels;

leg portions having engagement portions capable of engaging with thepiling members and provided in a lower surface of the bottom panel,

wherein the engagement portions of the article storage apparatusadjacent vertically to each other are engaged with the piling member, ata time of piling a plurality of the article storage apparatuses in astate in which each of the panels is folded.

In accordance with the fourth aspect of the present invention mentionedabove, it is possible to compactly fold each of the panels with respectto the bottom panel, and it is possible to pile the article storageapparatus in the folded state. Further, the article storage apparatus isprovided with the piling members. The piling members are arranged in aposition which do not lap over the front and rear lattice-shaped panelsand the side lattice-shaped panels at the time of folding each of thepanels, and protrude upward, and the upper end portions thereof arepositioned higher than the panel's topmost surface of each of the foldedpanels. Accordingly, in the case of piling the folded article storageapparatus, the engagement portion formed in the leg portion of thearticle storage apparatus in the upper stage is engaged with the upperend portion of the piling member of the article storage apparatus in thelower stage, whereby it is possible to pile the article storageapparatus in a stable manner.

Further, a fifth aspect of the present invention, a lower portion of thepiling member is folded to an inner side to be arranged in a sideportion of the upper surface of the bottom panel,

the engagement portions of the leg portions of the article storageapparatus adjacent vertically are engaged with the upper end portion ofthe side lattice-shaped panel, at the time of piling a plurality of thearticle storage apparatuses, in a state in which the front and rearlattice-shaped panels are open in a perpendicular direction to thebottom panel, and the side lattice-shaped panel is open in aperpendicular direction to the front and rear lattice-shaped panes andthe bottom panel, whereby a load of the piled article storage apparatusis applied to the side of the bottom panel through the sidelattice-shaped panel, and

a lower portion of the piling member is arranged on the side portion ofthe upper surface of the bottom panel, thereby storing a part of theabove-mentioned load and reinforcing the side of the bottom panel.

The piling member is structured as mentioned above in a state that thelower portion is folded to the inner side, to be arranged on the sideportion of the upper surface of the bottom panel. Further, when pilingthe article storage apparatus in a state in which each of the panels isopen, the load from the upper stage is applied to the sidelattice-shaped panel of the article storage apparatus in the lowerstage, and the load is further applied to the side of the bottom panel.If an earthquake or the like occurs in this state, a strong impact isapplied to the side of the bottom panel, and there is a case that thebottom panel can be broken. However, in accordance with the presentinvention, since the lower portion of the piling member is arranged onthe points which are easily broken, those points are reinforced.

Further, a sixth aspect of the present invention, an article storagespace surrounded by each of the panels is formed by opening the frontand rear lattice-shaped panels in a perpendicular direction to thebottom panel, and by opening the side lattice-shaped panel in aperpendicular direction to the front and rear lattice-shaped panels andthe bottom panel, and

the piling member is positioned on the outer side of the sidelattice-shaped panel, thereby preventing the side lattice-shaped panelfrom being opened to the outer side, and preventing the sidelattice-shaped panel from bulging outward due to an article stored inthe article storage space.

Further, a seventh aspect of the present invention is characterized byproviding an article storage apparatus comprising:

a bottom panel having a rectangular shape;

front and rear panels coupled to both front and rear end portions of thebottom panel so as to be foldable with respect to the bottom panel;

side panels coupled to both sides of the bottom panel or the front andrear panels so as to be foldable;

piling members arranged at positions which do not overlap the front,rear and side panels, at the time of folding the front, rear and sidepanels with respect to the bottom panel, protruding to an upper side,and upper end portions of which are positioned higher than a panel'stopmost surface of each of the folded panels;

a pair of leg portions having engagement portions capable of engagingwith the piling member and provided in the direction of the long side inthe panel lower surface in the side portion including a short line ofthe rectangular bottom panel,

wherein the other the article storage apparatus turned in aperpendicular direction is stored between the pair of leg portionsprovided in the direction of the long side, at the time of turning aplurality of the article storage apparatuses alternately in theperpendicular direction so as to pile in a state in which each of thepanels is folded, and the piling member of one of the article storageapparatus is engaged with the engagement portion of the leg portion ofthe other of the article storage apparatus, between upper and lowerarticle storage apparatus directed in the same direction.

In accordance with the seventh aspect of the present invention mentionedabove, it is possible to pile a plurality of article storage apparatusesat a high density without forming an extra space, by turning a pluralityof article storage apparatuses alternately in a perpendicular directionso as to pile in a state in which each of the panels is folded so as tobe formed flat. Further, since the piling member of one of the articlestorage apparatuses is engaged with the engagement portion provided inthe leg portion of the other article storage apparatuses between theupper and lower article storage apparatuses directed in the samedirection, it is possible to tightly pile each of the article storageapparatuses.

An eighth aspect of the present invention corresponds to the articlestorage apparatuses obtained by more particularly describing the seventhaspect of the present invention. In other words, a height from thepanel's topmost surface of the article storage apparatus in the lowerstage, between the upper and lower article storage apparatuses which aredirected in the same direction and in which the piling member is engagedwith the engagement portion, to a lower surface of the bottom panel ofthe article storage apparatus in the upper stage is higher than theheight from the lower surface of the bottom panel in each of the articlestorage apparatuses to the panel's topmost surface, and

an interval between the leg portions in the long side direction of thebottom panel is set longer than the length in the short side directionof the bottom panel.

Further, the present invention is characterized by providing an articlestorage apparatus in which an article storage space is formed by abottom panel, front and rear lattice-shaped panels provided in a risingmanner in the bottom panel and side lattice-shaped panels,

wherein each of the lattice-shaped panels is structured in a latticeshape so that a plurality of first rod-like members aligned in the samedirection and a plurality of second rod-like members aligned in adifferent direction from the first rod-like member intersect, and

wherein the front and rear lattice-shaped panels are structured so thatthe first rod-like members are directed in a vertical direction, thesecond rod-like members are directed in a lateral direction, and thesecond rod-like members are alternately arranged on an outer side and aninner side of the first rod-like members on the basis of the firstrod-like members.

In the case that the second rod-like members directed in the lateraldirection are arranged alternately on the outer side and the inner sideon the basis of the first rod-like member directed in the verticaldirection as mentioned above, the strength in the lateral direction isincreased. Further, in the case of storing an article, a side pressuredirected to the outer side from the inner side is applied to thelattice-shaped panel by the article, however, the strength of the sidepressure can be increased by employing the structure mentioned above forthe front and rear lattice-shaped panels. In other words, since it ispossible to increase the side pressure strength without enlarging thediameter of the rod-like member or increasing the number of the rod-likemembers, it is possible to reduce the weight of the lattice-shapedpanel, and since the point to be welded is reduced, it is possible toreduce the manufacturing cost.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an article storage apparatus 1according to the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a left elevational view of article storage apparatus 1;

FIG. 2B is a vertical elevational view of the left side lattice-shapedpanel 5;

FIG. 2C is the side elevational view of the left side lattice-shapedpanel 5;

FIG. 3A is the right elevational view of article storage apparatus 1;

FIG. 3B is the vertical elevational view of the right sidelattice-shaped panel 6;

FIG. 3C is the side elevational view of the right side lattice-shapedpanel 6;

FIG. 4A is the front elevational view of article storage apparatus 1;

FIG. 4B is the horizontal cross sectional view of the frontlattice-shaped panel 3;

FIG. 4C is the vertical cross sectional view of the front lattice-shapedpanel 3;

FIG. 5A is the rear elevational view of article storage apparatus 1;

FIG. 5B is the horizontal cross sectional view of rear lattice-shapedpanel 4;

FIG. 5C is the vertical cross sectional view of rear lattice-shapedpanel 4;

FIG. 6A is a partly notched front elevational view of bottomlattice-shaped panel 2;

FIG. 6B is a horizontal cross sectional view of bottom lattice-shapedpanel 2;

FIG. 6C is the transverse cross sectional view of bottom lattice-shapedpanel 2;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the main upper reinforcing member 7 andthe right side lattice-shaped panel 6;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the main portion of piling member 10 andthe bottom of lattice-shaped panel 2;

FIG. 9 is a view showing the connecting portion between upperlattice-shaped panel 3 a and lower lattice-shaped panel 3 b of the frontlattice-shaped panel 3;

FIG. 10 is a view explaining the problem generated in the case whereonly one second rod-like member is provided in the upper end of lowerlattice-shaped panel 3 b;

FIG. 11 is a view showing a connection between rear lattice-shaped panel4 and bottom lattice-shaped panel 2;

FIG. 12 is a partly notched front elevational view in a state in whicharticle storage apparatus 1's are piled vertically in an open state;

FIG. 13 is a right side elevational view in a state in which the articlestorage apparatus 1 are piled vertically in an open state;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the state in whichengagement portion 9 of leg portion 8 of article storage apparatus 1 inthe upper stage is engaged with the side lattice-shaped panel and theupper reinforcing member of article storage apparatus 1 in a lowerstage;

FIG. 15 is a view showing the other embodiment according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 16 is the right side elevational view for explaining the operationof folding front and rear lattice-shaped panels 3 and 4 and sidelattice-shaped panels 5 and 6 of article storage apparatus 1 withrespect to the bottom lattice-shaped panel 2;

FIG. 17 is a plan view of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the state in whichrespective panels 2 to 6 of article storage apparatus 1 are piledvertically in a folded state;

FIG. 19 is an explanatory view of a work of piling the respective panels2 to 6 while alternately turning in a perpendicular direction in afolded state;

FIG. 20 is a side elevational view of article storage apparatus 1 inwhich the respective panels 2 to 6 are piled while alternately beingturned in a perpendicular direction in a folded state;

FIG. 21A is a view showing the conventional article storage apparatus101;

FIG. 21B is a view showing side panel 105 of conventional articlestorage apparatus 101; and

FIG. 22 is a perspective view in the state in which vertical articlestorage apparatus 101's are piled vertically.

Description of Reference Numerals

1 article storage apparatus

2 bottom lattice-shaped panel

3 front lattice-shaped panel

4 rear lattice-shaped panel

5 left side lattice-shaped panel

6 right side lattice-shaped panel

7 upper reinforcing member

8 leg portion

9 engagement portion

10 piling member

11 first rod-like member

12 second rod-like member

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A description will be given below of a best mode for carrying out thepresent invention while referring to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an article storage apparatus 1according to the present invention. The article storage apparatus 1 hasa bottom lattice-shaped panel 2 (an example of a bottom panel), a frontlattice-shaped panel 3 and a rear lattice-shaped panel 4 provided in arising manner from both the front and rear end portions of the bottomlattice-shaped panel 2, and side lattice-shaped panels 5 and 6. Further,an article storage space S surrounded by the respective lattice-shapedpanels 2 to 6 opening in an upper side is formed. Further, an upperreinforcing member 7 is attached to the side surfaces of sidelattice-shaped panels 5 and 6 along the panel upper end portion.Reinforcing member 7 is obtained by forming a metal plate or the like,and has a higher flexure strength than the rod-like member constitutingeach of the lattice-shaped panels 2 to 6. Further, leg portion 8 isprovided in the lower surface of bottom lattice-shaped panel 2, andengagement portion 9 which can engage with at least upper portionreinforcing member 7 is formed in leg portion 8. Further, piling member10 is attached to the bottom of the side lattice-shaped panel so as tobe positioned on the outward sides of side lattice-shaped panels 5 and6.

Front lattice-shaped panel 3 and rear lattice-shaped panel 4 are coupledto the bottom of lattice-shaped panel 2 so as to be foldable. In moredetail, front end rear lattice-shaped panels 3 and 4 are coupled to boththe front and rear end portions of bottom lattice-shaped panel 2 so asto be rotatable and foldable, and side lattice-shaped panels 5 and 6 arecoupled to rear lattice-shaped panel 4 so as to be rotatable andfoldable. In this case, side lattice-shaped panels 5 and 6 may becoupled to the side of front lattice-shaped panel 3, or may be coupledto the side of bottom lattice-shaped panel 2.

Next, FIG. 2A shows a right side view of article storage apparatus 1,and FIGS. 2B and 2C respectively show a horizontal cross sectional viewand a vertical cross sectional view of the right side lattice-shapedpanel 6. The right side lattice-shaped panel 6 is structured in alattice shape so that a plurality of first rod-like members 11 directedin a vertical direction and a plurality of second rod-like members 12directed in a lateral direction are orthogonal to each other, firstrod-like members 11 are positioned on an outer side, and second rod-likemembers 12 are positioned on an inner side. Further, in order toincrease the buckling strength in a vertical direction, reinforcingrod-like members 11 a are partly provided on the inner side of secondrod-like member 12. Further, in order to increase strength in a lateraldirection, reinforcing rod-like members 12 a are partly provided in theouter side of first rod-like member 11. At the time of viewing articlestorage apparatus 1 from a right side surface (FIG. 2A), reinforcingrod-like members 11 a exist at a position concealed in the firstrod-like member 11 on the outer side. Further, reinforcing rod-likemembers 12 a exist at a position concealing the second rod-like member12 on the inner side.

Further, the upper reinforcing member 7 is attached to an outer sidesurface of the panel along an upper end portion. An enlarged crosssectional view of upper reinforcing member 7 is shown in FIG. 7. Upperreinforcing member 7 is obtained by forming a plate-like member, and isprovided with an upper bent portion 7 a and a lower bent portion 7 b inwhich both the upper and lower end portions are folded toward the rightside lattice-shaped panel 6. Further, upper reinforcing member 7 has acenter bent portion 7 c formed between the upper bent portion 7 a andthe lower bent portion 7 b and folded so as to protrude toward the rightside lattice-shaped panel 6. Upper reinforcing member 7 can have highflexure strength on the basis of the structure mentioned above, andbecomes hard to be deformed even from sustaining impact from anearthquake. Further, since upper and lower bent portions 7 a and 7 b andcenter bent portion 7 c, and first rod-like member 11 directed in thevertical direction are orthogonal, it is possible to weld theintersection therebetween at the time of attaching upper reinforcingmember 7 to the right side lattice-shaped panel 6. In other words, sincethe portion to be welded is comparatively small, it is possible toreduce the manufacturing cost of the panel.

In this case, upper and lower bent portions 7 a and 7 b are inclined tothe inner side in such a manner that an interval between the bothbecomes narrower toward the leading end side. In the case that a user ofarticle storage apparatus 1 puts a finger on the upper reinforcingmember 7, there is such a case that a hand could be cut by the leadingends of upper and lower bent portions 7 a and 7 b due to theirsharpness. However, it is difficult for the user to come into contactwith the leading end. As a result, there is less risk the user's handwill be injured, thereby improving safety.

The description is returned to FIG. 2. A U-shaped locked portion 18 isattached to the left side of the right side lattice-shaped panel 6 so asto be pinched between first rod-like member 11 and reinforcing rod-likemember 11 a. The locked portion 18 is used for fixing frontlattice-shaped panel 3 to the right side of the lattice-shaped panel.The method of usage is described below.

Further, since the left side lattice-shaped panel 5 has the samestructure as that of the right side lattice-shaped panel 6, as shown inFIG. 3, a description thereof will be omitted by attaching the samereference numerals to the constituent elements.

Next, a description will be given of front lattice-shaped panel 3 withreference to FIG. 4. Front lattice-shaped panel 3 includes upperlattice-shaped panel 3 a and lower lattice-shaped panel 3 b, which arerotatably coupled by front side upper stage hinge coil 15 and frontpanel coupling body 23. A pair of right and left lock portions 22 arerespectively attached to upper and lower lattice-shaped panels 3 a and 3b, and lock portion 22 is provided with a lock lever 21 which is movableto the right and left. If lock lever 21 is moved to lock position A,lock lever 21 is fitted to lock hole 19 of locked portion 18 provided onthe side lattice-shaped panels 5 and 6, whereby it is possible to couplethe panels. Further, in the case of canceling the coupling, lock lever21 is moved to non-locking position B (as shown by a dotted line) and isdisconnected.

Upper lattice-shaped panel 3 a and lower lattice-shaped panel 3 b arestructured in a lattice shape in which first rod-like member 11 directedin the vertical direction and second rod-like member 12 directed in thelateral direction intersect. In more detail, an outer second rod-likemember 12 b and an inner second rod-like member 12 c are arrangedalternately on the basis of first rod-like member 11. On the basis ofthe above structure, the strength against the side pressure becomeshigher. Even if pressure bulging to an outer side is generated by thearticle stored in the article storage space S (FIG. 1), the paneldoesn't deform easily. In this case, in order to attach lock portion 22,two second rod-like members are continuously arranged on the inner sidewithout being arranged alternately. Further, both outer second rod-likemember 12 b and inner second rod-like member 12 c are attached to theupper end of upper lattice-shaped panel 3 a for the reinforcement and toprotect against hand injury.

On the other hand, the front panel coupling body 23 mentioned above isconstituted by a cylindrical pipe member as shown by an enlarged crosssectional view in FIG. 9, and couples outer second rod-like member 12 bin the lower end of upper lattice-shaped panel 3 a, and outer secondrod-like member 12 b and inner second rod-like member 12 c in the upperend of lower lattice-shaped panel 3 b by passing them through the pipe.

Further, both the outer second rod-like member 12 b and inner secondrod-like member 12 c are attached to the upper end of lowerlattice-shaped panel 3 b. This is provided for preventing upperlattice-shaped panel 3 a from coming down in a shifted manner. In otherwords, as shown in enlarged cross sectional view in FIG. 10A, if outersecond rod-like member 12 b is not attached to the upper end of lowerlattice-shaped panel 3 b, outer second rod-like member 12 b comes downin a shifted manner from the upper end of lower lattice-shaped panel 3 ain the case of opening upper lattice-shaped panel 3 a to an outwardside. In other words, it becomes impossible to open and close upperlattice-shaped panel 3 a in a stable manner. Further, FIG. 10B is across sectional view in the case that inner second rod-like member 12 cis not attached to the upper end of lower lattice-shaped panel 3 b. Thesame problem arises in this case.

Next, a description will be given of rear lattice-shaped panel 4 withreference to FIG. 5. Rear lattice-shaped panel 4 has a staggeredstructure in which the rod-like members are arranged alternately, in thesame manner as front lattice-shaped panel 3. In more detail, innersecond rod-like member 12 c and outer second rod-like member 12 bdirected in the lateral direction are arranged alternately on the basisof first rod-like member 11 directed in the vertical direction. Innersecond rod-like member 12 c and outer second rod-like member 12 b areboth attached to the upper end of rear lattice-shaped panel 4 forreinforcement and to protect against hand injury. Further, rearlattice-shaped panel 4 has an L shape (shown in FIG. 5C) having a bentportion 4 a in which the lower end is folded to an inner side.

Next, a description will be given of the bottom lattice-shaped panel 2.FIG. 6A is a partly notched front elevational view of the bottomlattice-shaped panel 2. FIGS. 6B and 6C are a horizontal cross sectionalview and a vertical cross sectional view of FIG. 6A. The bottomlattice-shaped panel 2 has first support members 26 directed in ananterior-posterior direction and arranged in both right and left ends,and a second support member 25 arranged in a lateral direction so as toconnect first support member 26. First support member 26 and secondsupport member 25 employ a hollow member having a larger diameter so asto support the load of the stored article. Further, a plurality of firstrod-like members 11 directed in the anterior-posterior direction arearranged above first support members 26 and second support member 25,and they are welded. Further, second rod-like members 12 directed in thelateral direction are arranged above of first rod-like member 11 so asto be orthogonal.

Further, a plurality of leg portions 9 having engagement portions 9capable of engaging with at least the upper reinforcing member 7 areprovided in the lower surface of the bottom lattice-shaped panel 2.Since engagement portion 9 is provided as mentioned above, engagementportion 9 provided in leg portion 8 of article storage apparatus 1 inthe upper stage is engaged with side lattice-shaped panels 5 and 6 andthe upper reinforcing member 7 of article storage apparatus 1 in thelower stage, in the case of piling other article storage apparatus 1 onthe article storage apparatus 1, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. Further,as shown in FIG. 13, a convex portion 20 for preventing falling isformed on second rod-like member 12 positioned in the upper ends of sidelattice-shaped panels 5 and 6, thereby preventing the article storageapparatus in the upper stage from shifting to the front side. Next, anenlarged view of the main portion in FIG. 12 is shown in FIG. 14. Asmentioned above, engagement portion 9 is concaved to the above from alower surface of leg portion 8, and has an outer wall portion 9 a and aninner wall portion 9 b. Accordingly, even if article storage apparatus 1is shifted in the lateral direction at a time of piling article storageapparatus 1 vertically, outer wall portion 9 a nor inner wall portion 9b is brought into contact with side lattice-shaped panels 5 and 6,thereby preventing article storage apparatus 1 from falling. Therefore,even if a little vibration arises due to an earthquake or the like,article storage apparatus 1 in the upper stage does not fall and is ableto be kept in an engaged state.

In this case, in the present invention, engagement portion 9 of legportion 8 is so structured as to be engaged with “at least” upperreinforcing member 7. Because a case that engagement portion 9 of legportion 8 is engaged only with the upper reinforcing member 7 isincluded as well as a case that engagement portion 9 of leg portion 8 isengaged with side lattice-shaped panels 5 and 6 and the upperreinforcing member 7 as shown in FIG. 14. For example, as shown in FIG.15, a case that upper reinforcing member 7 is so structured as to coverthe upper end portions of side lattice-shaped panels 5 and 6, andengagement portion 9 is engaged only with the upper reinforcing member 7is included in the present invention.

Next, a description will be given of piling member 10 arranged in bottomlattice-shaped panel 2. As shown in an enlarged perspective view in FIG.8, piling member 10 is formed by folding the rod-like member, andincludes a fixed portion of 10 a bent to the inner side so as to befixed to a side portion of an upper surface of bottom lattice-shapedpanel 2, and a protruding portion of 10 b connected to the fixed portionof 10 a and protruding to an upper side. Further, an upper end portionof 10 c is provided with a displacement preventing portion of 10 d forpreventing a displacement at the time of piling article storageapparatus 1 (FIG. 20). The protruding portion of 10 b is thicker thanother rod-like members 11 and 12 for supporting the weight of articlestorage apparatus 1 in the upper stage at the time of piling.

Further, the fixed portion of 10 a is broken down in a verticaldirection, and the thickness thereof becomes substantially the same asthe diameter of second rod-like member 12. In other words, the fixedportion of 10 a and second rod-like member 12 are aligned at the sameheight. Accordingly, for example, as shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, at thetime of vertically piling front and rear lattice-shaped panels 3 and 4and side lattice-shaped panels 5 and 6 in an open state, sidelattice-shaped panels 5 and 6 are brought into contact with both secondrod-like member 12 and the fixed portion of 10 a, and it is possible tostore the load from the upper stage by both elements. Since the positionprovided with the fixed portion of 10 a is positioned just below legportion 8 of the article storage apparatus in the upper stage at thetime of being piled, it forms one of the positions to which a load iseasily transmitted and that which is easily broken at a time when anearthquake happens. In accordance with the present invention, since thefixed portion of 10 a of piling member 10 is arranged here, the fixedportion of 10 a stores a part of the load, so that the side of bottomlattice-shaped panel 2 is reinforced. In other words, the fixed portionof 10 a of piling member 10 doubles as a reinforcing member of bottomlattice-shaped panel 2.

In this case, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the protruding portion of 10b of piling member 10 is positioned on the outward sides of sidelattice-shaped panels 5 and 6, it is possible to prevent sidelattice-shaped panel 5 from being opened to the outward side. Further,it is possible to prevent side lattice-shaped panels 5 and 6 frombulging to the outward side by the stored article. In the conventionalarticle storage apparatus, the special purpose parts for preventing theside lattice-shaped panels from falling to the outer side or bulging isattached to this position, however, in the present invention, pilingmember 10 doubles as the falling and bulging preventing part.

Next, a description will be given of the connection of each of thelattice-shaped panels 2 to 6. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the right sidelattice-shaped panel 6 is coupled to the right side of rearlattice-shaped panel 4 so as to be rotatable and foldable. In moredetail, first rod-like member 11 positioned in the rear end portion ofthe right side lattice-shaped panel 6, and first rod-like member 11positioned in the right end portion of rear lattice-shaped panel 4 arecoupled by right side hinge coil 14 and side panel coupling body 24.Side panel coupling body 24 has the same structure as front panelcoupling body 23 of the front lattice-shaped panel 3 mentioned above.Further, the left side lattice-shaped panel 5 is also coupled to rearlattice-shaped panel 4 in the same manner.

On the other hand, front lattice-shaped panel 3 is coupled to bottomlattice-shaped panel 2 so as to be rotatable and foldable as shown inFIG. 4. In more detail, the outer second rod-like member 12 b positionedin the lower end of the lower lattice-shaped panel 3 b and secondrod-like member 12 is positioned in the front end portion of bottomlattice-shaped panel so as to be coupled by the front portion of lowerstage hinge coil 16.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 11, the rear lattice-shaped panel 4 iscoupled to bottom lattice-shaped panel 2 so as to be rotatable andfoldable. In more detail, inner second rod-like member 12 c ispositioned in the inner end of the bent portion 4 a of rearlattice-shaped panel 4 and second rod-like member 12 is positioned inthe rear end portion of bottom lattice-shaped panel 2 are coupled by therear portion of hinge coil 17.

In the case that article storage apparatus 1 is not used, it is possibleto compactly fold article storage apparatus 1. In other words, as shownby a dotted line in FIG. 4, lock lever 21 of each of lock portions 22 ismoved to lock cancel position B from lock position A so as to be takenoff from lock hole 19. Accordingly, the coupling between frontlattice-shaped panel 3 and side lattice-shaped panels 5 and 6 iscancelled. Next, as shown in FIG. 16A, front lattice-shaped panel 3 isrotated to be folded to the upper surface side of bottom lattice-shapedpanel 2.

Further, as shown in FIG. 17, the left side lattice-shaped panel 5 isrotated in a direction of an arrow so as to be folded to the innersurface side of rear lattice-shaped panel 4, and the right sidelattice-shaped panel 6 is rotated in a direction of arrow b so as to befolded further. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 16B, rear lattice-shapedpanel 4 is folded to the upper surface side of bottom lattice-shapedpanel 2 together with side lattice-shaped panels 5 and 6. At this time,the main body portion of rear lattice-shaped panel 2 becomes in ahorizontal slant attitude, and the bent portion of 4 a becomes in arising attitude, whereby a space corresponding to length G (FIG. 11) ofthe bent portion of 4 a is formed. It is possible to store frontlattice-shaped panel 3 and side lattice-shaped panels 5 and 6 within theabove space. The height G of the bent portion of 4 a is formed to belarger than a dimension obtained by adding the thickness of frontlattice-shaped panel 3 and the respective thicknesses of sidelattice-shaped panels 5 and 6.

Article storage apparatus 1 can be piled vertically in a state in whicharticle storage apparatus 1's are folded as mentioned above. As shown inan enlarged cross sectional view of a main portion in FIG. 18, pilingmember 10 is arranged in bottom lattice-shaped panel 2 at a positionwhere piling member 10 does not overlap front and rear lattice-shapedpanels 3 and 4 and side lattice-shaped panels 5 and 6 in the foldedstate, protrudes upward, and the upper end portion of 10 c is positionedhigher than the panel's topmost surface P of the folded rearlattice-shaped panel 4. In more detail, a height H2 of piling member 10is set longer than the dimension obtained by adding the height H1 ofengagement portion 9 (a height from the lower surface of leg portion 8to the upper wall of 9 c of engagement portion 9), and height G of thebent portion of 4 a of rear lattice-shaped panel 4 (a height from thebottom lattice-shaped panel 2 to the panel's topmost surface P).Accordingly, if article storage apparatuses 1 are piled vertically,engagement portion 9 provided in leg portion 8 of article storageapparatus 1 in the upper stage is engaged with piling member 10 ofarticle storage apparatus 1 in the lower stage, and a gap can be formedbetween the lower surface of leg portion 8 of article storage apparatus1 in the upper stage and the panel's topmost surface P of articlestorage apparatus 1 in the lower stage. In the case that the conditionmentioned above is not satisfied, leg portion 8 of article storageapparatus 1 in the upper stage gets on the rear lattice-shaped panel 4of article storage apparatus 1 in the lower stage, so that there is acase that rear lattice-shaped panel 4 is broken.

Further, if the article storage apparatus 1 is piled vertically, a spacecorresponding to height H3 (FIG. 18) of leg portion 8 is formed.However, in the present invention, the other article storage apparatus 1which is turned in a perpendicular direction can be stored in thisspace. In other words, as shown in FIG. 19, article storage apparatus B1can be piled on article storage apparatus A1 while being turned in aperpendicular direction. Thereafter, the other article storage apparatusA2 having the same direction as that of article storage apparatus A1 ispiled, and the other article storage apparatus B2 having the samedirection as that of article storage apparatus B1 is further piled. Aside elevational view of the piled state is shown in FIG. 20. Asmentioned above, upper and lower article storage apparatus A1 and A2directed in the same direction are piled in a state in which engagementportion 9 of upper side leg portion 8 and lower side piling member 10are engaged, article storage apparatus B1 is stored in the space formedbetween article storage apparatus A1 and A2, and engagement portion 9 ofthe upper side article storage apparatus B2 and piling member 10 of thelower side article storage apparatus B1 are engaged so as to be piled.As a result, it is possible to pile at a high density without formingany extra space.

In more detail, the following conditions are satisfied for piling in themanner mentioned above.

The bottom lattice-shaped panel is formed in a rectangular shape, and apair of leg portions 8 are provided in the long side direction in thelower surface of the panel of the side portion including a short side ofthe bottom lattice-shaped panel 2 (FIG. 6).

The height X from the panel's topmost surface P of rear lattice-shapedpanel 4 of article storage apparatus A1 in the lower stage to lowersurface Q of bottom lattice-shaped panel 1 of article storage apparatusA2 in the upper stage is longer than the height H4 from the lowersurface Q of bottom lattice-shaped panel 2 from the panel's topmostsurface P of rear lattice-shaped panel 4 in the respective articlestorage apparatus, between upper and lower article storage apparatusesA1 and A2 which are directed in the same direction and in which pilingmember 10 and engagement portion 9 of leg portion 8 are engaged (FIG.18).

Interval D (FIGS. 6 and 20) between leg portions 8 in the long sidedirection of bottom lattice-shaped panel 2 is longer than length L inthe short side direction of the bottom lattice-shaped panel.

As described above, in accordance with the present invention, sinceupper reinforcing member 7 has the higher flexure strength than rod-likemembers 11 and 12 which are provided in the side surfaces of sidelattice-shaped panels 5 and 6 along the panel upper end portion, upperreinforcing member 7 can store the load of article storage apparatus 1in the upper stage, at the time of piling front and rear lattice-shapedpanels 3 and 4 and side lattice-shaped panels 5 and 6 vertically in astate in which they are open. As a result, even if a strong impact isapplied due to an earthquake or the like, the article storage apparatusis hard to be broken. In particular, upper reinforcing member 7 hasupper and lower bent portions 7 a and 7 b, and center bent portion of 7c, and can achieve a high flexure strength. Further, since the firstrod-like member 11 in the vertical direction constituting sidelattice-shaped panels 5 and 6, and each of the bent portions of 7 a, 7 band 7 c are formed orthogonal, it is possible to weld the orthogonalpoints in accordance with a spot weld having a comparatively small weldamount, and thus it is possible to achieve an improvement of the workingefficiency and cost reduction. Further, since upper and lower bentportions 7 a and 7 b are so inclined as to be narrower toward theleading end side, a risk that a worker's hand may come into contact withthe cut area in the leading end is reduced, and safety is increased.Further, piling member 10 is provided, and each of the panels can bepiled in a folded state. Since piling member 10 is provided in sideportion of bottom lattice-shaped panel 2, piling member 10 is arrangedin a position which can store a part of a load from article storageapparatus 1 in the upper stage at the time of piling each of the panels2 and 6 in the open state. As a result, it is possible to reinforce theside portion of bottom lattice-shaped panel 2. Further, since pilingmember 10 is positioned on the outward sides of side lattice-shapedpanels 5 and 6, it is possible to prevent side lattice-shaped panels 5and 6 from opening to the outward side, and it is possible to store aside pressure caused by the article so as to prevent side lattice-shapedpanels 5 and 6 from bulging to the outward side, at the time of openingeach of the panels 2 to 6 and storing the article in article storagespace S. Further, since front and rear lattice-shaped panels 3 and 4 arestructured so that first rod-like member 11 is directed in a verticaldirection, second rod-like member 12 is directed in a lateral direction,and second rod-like member 12 is arranged alternately on the outwardside and the inner side on the basis of first rod-like member 11, it ispossible to increase the strength against the side pressure caused bythe stored article.

1. An article storage apparatus using a lattice-shaped panel in which a plurality of rod-like members intersect, comprising: a bottom panel forming a loading surface of an article to be stored; front and rear lattice-shaped panels provided in a rising manner in both the front and rear end of the bottom panel; side lattice-shaped panels provided in a rising manner on both the sides of said bottom panel; an upper portion reinforcing member attached to the side surfaces of the side lattice-shaped panels along an upper end portion of the panel and having a higher flexure strength than that of said rod-like member; and leg portions having engagement portions capable of engaging with at least said upper portion of the reinforcing member and provided in a lower surface of said bottom panel, wherein said engagement portions of said leg portions of said article storage apparatus adjacent vertically to each other are engaged with at least said upper portion reinforcing member, at the time of piling a plurality of said article storage apparatuses.
 2. The article storage apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said upper portion reinforcing member includes upper and lower bent portions in which both upper and lower end portions of said upper reinforcing member are bent toward said side lattice-shaped panel, and a center bent portion formed between the upper and lower bent portions is bent so as to protrude toward said side lattice-shaped panel, and wherein said rod-like member directed in a vertical direction in said rod-like member constituting said side lattice-shaped panel, said upper and lower bent portions and said center bent portion are welded.
 3. The article storage apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said upper and lower bent portions of said upper reinforcing member are inclined to an inner side so that the closer to leading edge, the more narrow both intervals become.
 4. An article storage apparatus using a lattice-shaped panel in which a plurality of rod-like members intersect, comprising: a bottom panel forming a loading surface of an article to be stored; front and rear lattice-shaped panels coupled to both front and rear end portions of the bottom panel so as to be foldable with respect to said bottom panel; side lattice-shaped panels coupled to both side portions of said bottom panel or said front and rear lattice-shaped panels so as to be foldable; piling members arranged in said bottom panel at positions which do not over lap said front and rear lattice-shaped panels and said side lattice-shaped panels, at the time of folding said front and rear lattice-shaped panels and said side lattice-shaped panels with respect to said bottom panel, protruding to an upper side, and the upper end portions which are positioned higher than a panel's topmost surface of each of the folded panels; leg portions having engagement portions capable of engaging with the piling member and provided in a lower surface of said bottom panel, wherein said engagement portions of said article storage apparatuses adjacent vertically to each other are engaged with said piling member, at the time of piling a plurality of said article storage apparatuses in a state in which each of said panels is folded.
 5. The article storage apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein a lower portion of said piling member is folded to an inner side so as to be arranged in a side portion of an upper surface of said bottom panel, said engagement portions of said leg portions of said article storage apparatus adjacent vertically are engaged with the upper end portion of said side lattice-shaped panel, at the time of piling a plurality of said article storage apparatuses, in a state in which said front and rear lattice-shaped panels are open in a perpendicular direction to said bottom panel, and said side lattice-shaped panel is open in a perpendicular direction to said front and rear lattice-shaped panels and said bottom panel, whereby a load of the piled article storage apparatus is applied to a side portion of said bottom panel through said side lattice-shaped panel, and the lower portion of said piling member is arranged in said upper surface of said bottom panel, thereby storing a part of said load and reinforcing said side portion of said bottom panel.
 6. The article storage apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein an article storage space surrounded by each of the panels is formed by opening said front and rear lattice-shaped panels in a perpendicular direction to said bottom panel, and by opening said side lattice-shaped panel in a perpendicular direction to said front and rear lattice-shaped panels and said bottom panel, and said piling member is positioned on an outward side of said side lattice-shaped panel, thereby preventing said side lattice-shaped panel from being opened to an outward side, and preventing said side lattice-shaped panel from bulging to an outward side due to an article stored in said article storage space.
 7. An article storage apparatus comprising: a bottom panel having a rectangular shape; front and rear panels coupled to both front and rear end portions of the bottom panel so as to be foldable with respect to said bottom panel; side panels coupled to both side portions of said bottom panel or said front and rear panels so as to be foldable; piling members arranged at positions which do not over lap said front and rear panels and said side panels, at the time of folding said front and rear panels and said side panels with respect to said bottom panel, protruding to an upper side, and upper end portions of which are positioned higher than a panel's topmost surface of each of the folded panels; a pair of leg portions having engagement portions capable of engaging with the piling member and provided in the direction of the long side on the panel's lower surface on the side portion including a short line of said rectangular bottom panel, wherein the other said article storage apparatus turned in a perpendicular direction is stored between said pair of leg portions provided in the direction of the long side, at the time of turning a plurality of said article storage apparatuses alternately in the perpendicular direction so as to pile in a state in which each of said panels is folded, and said piling member of one of said article storage apparatus is engaged with said engagement portion of said leg portion of the other of said article storage apparatuses, between said upper and lower article storage apparatuses directed in the same direction.
 8. The article storage apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein a height from said panel's topmost surface of said article storage apparatus in the lower stage, between the upper and lower said article storage apparatuses which are directed in the same direction and in which said piling member is engaged with said engagement portion, to a lower surface of said bottom panel of said article storage apparatus in the upper stage is higher than a height from a lower surface of said bottom panel in each of the article storage apparatuses to said panel's topmost surface, and an interval between said leg portions of the long side direction of said bottom panel is set longer than the length of the a short side direction of said bottom panel.
 9. An article storage apparatus in which an article storage space is formed by a bottom panel, front and rear lattice-shaped panels provided in a rising manner in the bottom panel and side lattice-shaped panels, wherein each of said lattice-shaped panels is structured in a lattice shape so that a plurality of first rod-like members aligned in the same direction and a plurality of second rod-like members aligned in a different direction from the first rod-like member intersect, and wherein said front and rear lattice-shaped panels are structured so that said first rod-like members are directed in a vertical direction, while said second rod-like members are directed in a lateral direction, and said second rod-like members are alternately arranged in an outer side and an inner side of said first rod-like members on the basis of said first rod-like members. 